You might have to rub your eyes twice and realize that; Yes! It is in fact another chance at redemption against the scum of the city. 

Wednesday night features the most intense of rivalries in sport with a 1 game playoff winner take all style match.  (Yes penalties are possible)  This might be only the round of 16 for the TIM Cup (Coppa Italia) but for me and probably most of you:  THIS IS THE FINAL! 

As the whole of Italy switches their attention to the Capital, we as a club and supporters have the chance to 'make things right' after we stood as passengers to the Morganti derby in November.  Wednesday brings us another antagonist possibility in the form of the arbitro Mauro Bergonzi (from Genoa).   


So far Mr. Bergonzi has already overseen 5 Roma matches (4 wins-1-tie) Not the most encouraging stat going in but meaningless once the whistle blows.  It is of importance to note that he was banned from presiding over matches for 2 and half months after some dubious calls in a Napoli-Juventus match in 2007-2008. 

Back to the nature at hand,
The Derby is still the Derby, our values vs. theirs.  This is the match where legends are made and moments are etched in our brain.  All rational is thrown out the window for fans leading up to this spectacle.  Uneducated outsiders might feel that this is Derby doesn't hold as much weight as a league match:  Well they couldn't be more wrong!  The Derby is not just this Wednesday; it's 365 days a year.  Some can't stand the sight of Roma, some obsess as to how their results go throughout the season taking any chance to salute their opponent and cheer them on to a victory over le troie della citta!   

This match can effect anywhere between the next 2-to-10 matches we play, and with 6 more in question (7 if we win) this game goes a long way in shaping the rest of the season for us.  All I ask is a committed performance without the fear to lose from the players.  The rest will take care of itself. 

A Roma La Lazio, C'e Solo La Lazio!   

Lazio anti-Rome (4-3-1-2): from TMW
              Muslera
   Lich  Biava  Dias  Radu
Gonzalez  Ledesma  Brocchi
               Mauri
        Floccari  Zàrate

so long as it is two up front Ill be happy I could understand Brocchi resting, I have read it is a possibility. how ever the Muslera-Berni debate is a bit crazy. I could see if it was just any other Coppa Round16, but this is the Derby. you must use the best ie Muslera. in the same vein I think Hernanes should at least come in as an early sub. given the new addition [Sculli] I say why not play Hernanes and rest him against Bologna. Foggia has been doing good in Coppa Italia (all be it against B rate teams) so I think he should the nod for who ever is being rested. depending on who is doing better either sub off or shift over Foggia for Hernanes and finish off  . after this week ends performance Reja might be tempted to throw "Super Sub" Kozak into the mix

P.S. most if not all of the Coppa Italia Games are on GOL.TV in the States. most importantly so is S.S.Lazio vs A.S.sRoma. how it puts my mind at rest to know that no matter what I have to do that day, DVR will have my back

Forza Lazio!!! 

Gonzalez redefines the word useless.

exactly. this is a game where we need ALL the best players we have

Much as I do love to face these eternal losers, I kind of hate derbies because they have a tendency to absorb disproportionate amounts of energy - win or lose. This one's a case in point. Midweek, Coppa Italia, we won, Milan and Naples Soccer dropped points, tied in second..... and now we have to worry about potentially jeopordizing the Sunday match by becoming overly concerned about this. It's not that i don't care about the Coppa - I have a significant, though not exaggerated respect for it (let's not be riommers ourselves; when they win it it's huge, when they don't, it's just an umbrella can...).  I'm conflicted for sure. I'd love to beat them but given the delicate circumstances, not at ANY price.

Anyway, SEMPRE Forza Lazio MCM!

I think i've seen Berni play maybe twice and he wasn't that bad. I still definately would prefer muslera for a game like this. Gonzalez hasn't looked that bad in the time he's been alocated. In fact i was pretty impressed the last time he came in. Starting Kozak is smart since he's probably pretty confident after scoring in the last game and probably willing to prove himself. The merde has had the upper hand for some time now in derbies and our fans have gone through enough anguish. I think a victory is owed to us (the fans) .. and after that i really don't care if we get knocked out.

FORZA LAZIO 1900! 

anyone have any links to see the match?

A link would be appreciated indeed.